/ Register

NBD: Hoyer 43 "London" bass

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by MaryMary, Jan 5, 2022.


Tags:
  1. Jan 5, 2022 #1
    MaryMary

    MaryMary

    Jan 12, 2020
    Planet Earth
    It sure took a while to get it from Germany (issues were here in the US)... but it arrived today: a vintage 1960s Hoyer bass, the model 43 or "London" bass! It's a variation of the Hofner "Beatle bass" as the name suggests. Short scale (30").

    I think after looking and looking, I have found the violin-ish bass that works for me. The pickup sounds wonderful. Lots of tonal variation from just one pickup! But the kicker for me is the neck. I often don't like the feel of old necks; they're often chunky for my relatively small hands. But this neck is a bit tapered, and it feels so easy to play. I'm very happy! hoyer london 43 bass.jpg
     
    LeFunk Machine, 12BitSlab, truand85 and 37 others like this.
  5. Jan 5, 2022 #2
    Haans

    Haans Altruistic nihilist Supporting Member

    Oct 31, 2005
    Bergen, Norway
    With the Bill Lawrence pickup. Nice! Happy NBD!
     
    Kubicki Fan, Roxbororob, Gunga Din and 2 others like this.
  9. Jan 5, 2022 #3
    blacktocomm

    blacktocomm Supporting Member

    Feb 19, 2013
    West By God
    Dig it.
     
    MaryMary likes this.
  13. Jan 6, 2022 #4
    MaryMary

    MaryMary

    Jan 12, 2020
    Planet Earth
    After playing it quite a bit last evening... a bonus is that it has on ancient strings that feel wonderful! Has that built-in extra funk that James Jamerson swore by! :cool:
     
    LeFunk Machine, dkelley and Spidey2112 like this.
  18. Jan 6, 2022 #5
    Roxbororob

    Roxbororob Supporting Member

    Jun 8, 2015
    Montreal
    Very nice! Congratulations on the funk.
     
    MaryMary likes this.
  22. Jan 6, 2022 #6
    GretschWretch

    GretschWretch Supporting Member

    Dec 27, 2013
    East Central Alabama
    And a full two-octave neck. How often is that seen on a 1960s bass?
     
    MaryMary likes this.
  26. Jan 6, 2022 #7
    kesslari

    kesslari Groovin' with the Fusion Cats Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2007
    Santa Cruz Mtns, California
    Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
    Enjoy that beauty. Looks like it is in great shape too!
     
    MaryMary likes this.
  30. Jan 6, 2022 #8
    Gunga Din

    Gunga Din

    Jun 22, 2018
    I'd have that over a Höfner VB any day!
     
    Kubicki Fan, funkinbottom and MaryMary like this.
  34. Jan 6, 2022 #9
    Spidey2112

    Spidey2112

    Aug 3, 2016
    MaryMary likes this.
  38. Jan 6, 2022 #10
    Matt Liebenau

    Matt Liebenau

    Jul 7, 2013
    Ogden, Utah
    Very cool. I’d defs play it.
     
    MaryMary likes this.
  42. Jan 6, 2022 #11
    Pimpernel Smith

    Pimpernel Smith

    May 25, 2012
    In the Pond
    Wow, that's just my cup of tea. Congratulations.
     
    MaryMary likes this.
  47. Jan 6, 2022 #12
    funkinbottom

    funkinbottom Supporting Member

    Apr 23, 2006
    Northern CA.
    That's awesome, great looking bass. What is the toggle switch for?

    Strongly agree. The body being a little different than a Hofner, wider at the bridge end, softer curves in the middle, no control plate, and F holes, is way more appealing to my eye.

    For compairison

    hoyer london 43 bass.jpg hof-hi-bb-pe-sb_5.jpg
     
    MaryMary, Gunga Din and skycruiser like this.
  51. Jan 6, 2022 #13
    kbraker510

    kbraker510 Supporting Member

    Dec 8, 2008
    I like that bridge saddle.... Would be cool if there was an aftermarket for those interested.
     
  55. Jan 6, 2022 #14
    Thornton Davis

    Thornton Davis

    Dec 11, 1999
    Barrie, ON, CA
    Here's the twin pickup version of the Hoyer 43 "London" bass. Not mine, but notice some fool installed long scale strings on a short scale bass.

    Hoyer London Bass 2 pickup.jpg

    TD
     
    MaryMary, Gunga Din and funkinbottom like this.
  59. Jan 6, 2022 #15
    Pimpernel Smith

    Pimpernel Smith

    May 25, 2012
    In the Pond
    MaryMary:
    Your new bass was just the right bait to draw Thornton Davis out of his winter cave and into TB again.
     
    MaryMary likes this.
  63. Jan 6, 2022 #16
    iiipopes

    iiipopes Supporting Member

    May 4, 2009
    Please measure from the ball anchor to the nut, then measure from the anchor to the E string tuner post. If a string breaks, you may need a different scale set of strings, maybe one of the sets actually made for a Hofner 500/1 bass, depending on the geometry of the holes/slots in the tuner posts. Great bass!
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2022
    MaryMary likes this.
  67. Jan 6, 2022 #17
    MaryMary

    MaryMary

    Jan 12, 2020
    Planet Earth
    The toggle switch is a bit of a mystery, to be honest. Does anyone know? I can't tell much difference between the positions, and I can't tell if it's real or my imagination!
     
    funkinbottom likes this.
  71. Jan 6, 2022 #18
    Eilif

    Eilif Grooving under the MDW runway.

    Oct 1, 2001
    Chicago
    That's really lovely. What a graceful shape!
    I think there's a name for classical stringed instruments with that shape of shoulders and wide rounded end but I don't recall it right now.
    Reminds me of a doublebass combined with a parlor guitar in the best way possible.
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2022
    MaryMary likes this.
  76. Jan 6, 2022 #19
    MaryMary

    MaryMary

    Jan 12, 2020
    Planet Earth
    This thing is fun to play... Hard to put it down. I often don't like short scale necks, but this one feels really good.
     
  80. Primary

    Primary TB Assistant

    Here are some related products that TB members are talking about. Clicking on a product will take you to TB’s partner, Primary, where you can find links to TB discussions about these products.

     
    May 22, 2022

Share This Page